Why Track Water Intake in Lose It!?
Tracking your hydration is a vital part of a holistic wellness plan, especially when using an app like Lose It! to monitor your diet and exercise. Water has no calories, but it plays a crucial role in metabolism, appetite control, and physical performance. By actively monitoring your daily water consumption, you can ensure your body is functioning optimally. Lose It! integrates this health metric directly into your daily log, helping you visualize your progress alongside your calorie and nutrient intake. Consistent hydration can boost your metabolism and help your body more efficiently metabolize stored fat or carbohydrates. Moreover, drinking a glass of water before meals can help curb your appetite, preventing overeating and unnecessary calorie consumption. The visual cues and tracking tools within Lose It! provide constant motivation to stay on track.
Setting Up Your Water Goal
Before you can start logging your daily glasses, you need to create a dedicated water intake goal. The process is straightforward and can be done from either the mobile app or the Lose It! website.
For the Lose It! Mobile App (iOS and Android)
- Open the Lose It! app and navigate to the Goals tab on the bottom banner.
- Scroll down and tap on Set Another Goal.
- Select the General category from the list.
- Choose Water Intake.
- Enter your desired daily goal, for example, 64 ounces, and tap Save.
- Customize display: To make tracking easier, you can make the water tracker visible on your main Log screen. Go back to the Goals tab, tap on the new water chart, tap Edit, and toggle on the option Show on the Log tab.
For the Lose It! Website (my.loseit.com)
- Log in to your account at my.loseit.com from a web browser.
- Click the Goals tab in the sidebar menu.
- Click Create New Goal.
- Select General from the options.
- Choose Water Intake.
- Enter your target water goal for each day and click Create.
Logging Your Daily Water Consumption
Once your goal is set, logging your daily intake is a quick and simple process that can be done in two primary ways within the mobile app.
Method 1: Using the Water Glass Icons
- Open the Lose It! app and go to the Log tab.
- Scroll down past your meals to the Health section.
- You will see a series of water glass icons. Tap the icons to add a standard serving of water (typically 8 ounces per glass).
- The tracker will update in real-time, showing your progress towards your daily goal.
Method 2: Adjusting from the Goals Tab
- Open the Lose It! app and go to the Goals tab.
- Scroll down and find the Water Intake chart.
- Tap the Record Water Intake button beneath the chart.
- Use the plus (+) or minus (-) buttons to increase or decrease your total intake for the day.
Comparison of Tracking Methods
| Feature | Water Glass Icons (Log Tab) | Goals Tab Adjustment | Lose It! Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Convenience | Best for quick, incremental logging throughout the day. | Best for adjusting the total amount at once. | Useful for users who prefer to track on a desktop browser. |
| Logging Unit | Fixed increment per tap (e.g., 8oz), which cannot be changed. | Allows for fine-tuning the total daily amount. | Manually type the total daily amount. |
| Device | Primarily for mobile app (iOS and Android). | Primarily for mobile app (iOS and Android). | Accessible via any web browser. |
| Best For | Users who prefer to log each glass as they drink it. | Users who track their consumption separately and enter the total later. | Those who manage their diet primarily through a computer. |
Troubleshooting and Pro Tips
- Can't find the water tracker? If you don't see the water glasses on your Log screen, you likely need to enable the display setting. Follow the steps in the "Setting Up Your Water Goal" section to show the chart on your Log tab.
- Standard vs. Custom: While Lose It! uses a standard serving size for its icons, you can input a precise total amount from the Goals tab. This is especially helpful if you use a water bottle of a different size.
- Visual reminders: If you struggle to remember to log your water, consider setting up a custom push notification. While Lose It! has its own notification system, you can also use your phone's built-in reminder app to prompt you to drink and log water at regular intervals.
- Track other fluids: Remember that water from other sources, like tea or flavored water, also contributes to your hydration. You can count these towards your daily total if they don't contain significant calories.
- Link with a fitness device: Premium Lose It! users may have the option to sync data from integrated fitness devices, although the level of detail for water intake can vary. Checking your device's settings and integration options is a good step if you have a wearable.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can effectively add water intake on Lose It!, making hydration a consistent part of your weight management routine. Whether you're a free user or a Premium subscriber, the app offers intuitive ways to track your fluid consumption alongside your dietary intake. This simple habit can lead to improved physical performance, better appetite control, and a boost to your metabolic rate, all contributing to your overall health and fitness goals. By consistently logging your water intake, you gain valuable insight and motivation to stay hydrated and on track. Start using this feature today to make a meaningful difference in your wellness journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the water glass icons represent?
The water glass icons in the Lose It! app typically represent a standard serving of 8 ounces of water. Tapping a glass adds that amount to your daily total.
Is the water tracker available in the free version of Lose It!?
Yes, water tracking is a standard feature in both the free and Premium versions of the Lose It! app. You do not need a subscription to set a goal and log your intake.
Can I change the serving size of the water glass icons?
No, the serving size for the water glass icons on the Log screen is fixed and cannot be customized. However, you can manually enter a total value on the Goals tab to reflect different serving sizes.
What happens if I forget to log my water for a day?
If you forget to log your water, you can always go to the Goals tab and manually enter the total amount you consumed for that day to keep your tracking accurate.
How can I make the water tracker visible on my main Log screen?
After setting your initial goal, go to the Goals tab, tap on the Water Intake chart, tap Edit, and then toggle on Show on the Log tab.
Does drinking more water help with weight loss?
Research suggests that drinking more water can boost metabolism, help with appetite control, and improve exercise performance, all of which support weight loss efforts.
Can I track fluids other than water, like tea or coffee?
Yes, you can count other non-caloric or low-calorie fluids like tea towards your daily water intake goal, as they also contribute to your overall hydration.
How do I edit my water intake goal?
To edit your water goal, navigate to the Goals tab, tap the Water Intake chart, and tap the Edit button (or gear icon on Android) to change your daily target.
